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BMW N43/N46 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the BMW N43/N46: 34/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The BMW N43/N46 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Wear and breakage of the timing chain guides»; the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)».

Risk index

BMW N43/N46

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW N43/N46 reliable?

The BMW N43 and N46 (2004-2012) are naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines fitted to the 1 Series E87, 3 Series E90, X1 E84 and Z4 E85/E86, among others. They have a reputation for being solid if properly maintained, but share well-known wear of the timing chain guides and tensioner, of the Valvetronic and of the VANOS valves; the direct-injection N43 adds documented failures of the injectors, ignition coils and the NOx sensor.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the BMW N43/N46 faults

Is the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD reliable?

The Honda e:HEV hybrid system (formerly i-MMD) has no serious, widespread faults documented in the sources consulted. The most cited issue is the 12 V battery going flat when the car stands unused and, on the 2.0, a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N43/N46 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
BMW N43/N46Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power121–170 hp109–184 hp
Production2004–2012[1][2][8][9]since 2018[5][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear and breakage of the timing chain guides
  2. Medium severity: Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43)
  3. Medium severity: Wear of the Valvetronic and the VANOS solenoid valves
  1. High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)
  2. High severity: Faulty fuel pump impeller on the 2019-2020 CR-V hybrid (Honda 6FE campaign)
  3. Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[5]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[5][10]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • N46B20 127-148 hp, indirect injection (2004-2007)[3][4]
  • N46NB20 150-170 hp, revised ECU (2006-2012)[3][4][11]
  • N43B16 121 hp, 1.6 litres (2007-2011)[1][3]
  • N43B20 121-168 hp, 2.0 litres (2007-2013)[1][3]
  • i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)[5][6]
  • e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)[6][12]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW N43/N46

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the BMW N43/N46

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. BMW N43Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N46Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. BMW N43: Bei diesem Benziner ist Ärger vorprogrammiertGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. BMW N46: Typische Probleme & HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Honda recalls 1.3 million cars: fuel pump fire risk (KBA 14559R)Car-Recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 17 March 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  7. Fiabilité Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  8. BMW N43Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. BMW N46Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. BMW X1 E84 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Guide d'achat Honda Civic (nueva campaña 6YP, 4.740 híbridos en Francia)L'argus · Motoring press · published 7 January 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French